Process of reinforcing trees.



W. E. DAVEY. PROCESS OF REINFOROING TREES.

APPLICATION 17mm; APR.23,1909.

w'zexgejgi i I I,

a! E g ga V Patented'May 17,1910.-

To all whom it may concern: 1'

WELLINGTON E.v

UNITED sratpas PATENT orrionp wrnrmerone. raver, or near, 01110.-

reoonssor enmroac'me mass.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Application filed April 23, 190.9. Serial Ho. 491,836.

- Be it known that I,

DAVEY, a citizen of the United States. of

America, residing at Kent, in the county of Portage and Stateof Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful; Process of Reinforcing Trees;

and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventiomsuch as will-enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.-

This invention relates to an improved process 'ofreinforcing trees whose trunks to wind pressure against it will not result trunks.

have holes or cavities therein extending tothe exterior and longitudinally of the The rimary object of this invention is to rein orce the hollow portion ofthe trunk and to have the cavity ,filled in such a mannor that a slight lateral yielding of the trunk in injury to the filling.

Another object is to compose the said ing of sections and to have adjacent fillingsections arranged the one abovethe other and to contour oppositely arranged end surfaces of the said adjacent sections to permit a slight lateral swaying of the upper'of the said sections with the trunk independently of the lower of the said sections and thereby reduce to'a, minimum the liability of injury ,to the filling by wind pressure against V the trunk.

Another objectis to render the upper of adjacent filling sections independent of the lower of the said sections by supporting the said upper filling-section from the trunk inde endently of the said lower filling-section an thereby prevent the weight of the said upper filling-section bearing downwardly on the said lower filling-section.

Anoth er object is to compose the filling of metal-reinforced concrete. sections and not only to have each metal-reinforced concrete section supported from the trunk independently of the adjacent metal-reinforced concrete section or sections but to. havethe metal reinforcement. of each metal-reinforced concrete section independent of the metal reinforcement of the adjacent metalreinforced conciete'section or sections-so as to prevent the transmission of any strain tending to. crack or injure one of the metalreinforced concrete sections to the'adjacent metal-reinforced concrete section or sections I and to accommodate and facilitate the renewal 'of any one of the metal-reinforced concrete sections without interferingwith Patented May 1'7, 1910. v

the adjacent metal reinforoed concrete sec-f tion or sections.

' Another object is to cushion adjacent end surfaces of adjacent fillingssections' to accommodate some expansion of the'said filling-sections toward eachother without liability of cracking or injuring the said sections by a force or agency tending to result 'in such expansion.

Another object is to prevent waterbeing blown or driven by the'wind or other force between adjacent sections 'of the filling at and to so. form the said joint that any water ormoisture which may have access to the oppositely arranged end surfaces of the said sections will be drained to theexteriorof the trunk.

Another .object isto prevent any-water which may obtain access toithe under surr face of the npper of adjacent filling-sections from entering the lower of the said filling sect ons but instead todrain such water to the exterior" of the trunk.

Another object is to interpose a layer of compressible and elastic material between said filling-sections waterproof so as to prethe joint formed between the-said sections v vent any impregnation of the said com-" pressible and elastic layer with moisture which may find access to the adjacent end surfaces of the said filling-sections.

' With these objects in View, and to the end ofrealizing any other advantages hereinafter appearing ny improved process consists in the steps hereinafter described, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the trunk of a tree which is mechanically reinforced in accordance with my invention. One of the metal- 7 reinforced concrete filling-sections is shown in section in this figure. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22, Fig. l, looking-in the direction indicated by the arrow. 3

.is a vertical section on line 3'3, Fig. 2,

arrow. Figs.'2 and 3 are drawn on a larger.- v

proximity to but below the second lowermost 2 looking in the direction. indicated by the scale than Fig.1.

Inthesaiddrawillgg- A indicates an interiorly hollow portion of the trunk of a 'tree, said portion of the trunk having its internalca'vity 41 extending to the exterior and up' and down or longitudinally of the trunk. The saidfljhollow portion A of the trunk" is mechanically reinforced as will hereinafterappear. H v v In carrying .out my improved process all decayed or unsound foreign matter is firstlyremoved from the walls of the cavity .a, whereu on the said walls are antiseptically treated'liy covering or coating the same, as at R, with a composition of pine tar and resin mixed preferably in equal proportions by measure. 7 The resin and pine tar are heated:- in a vessel until they become liquid when they are thoroughly stirred together, and the hot cess to thewalls of the cavity a. The coating mixture is applied to the walls of the cavity a. The mixture of pine tar and resin acts as a disinfectant and destroys all vermin and germs which'may still adhere or-have had acof thesaid walls with the said mixture also renders the walls impervious to-moisture be-,

* cause the said mixture is a waterproof com position. Preferably opposite side wa1ls'6 and 6 of the cavity or upon applying the antiseptic waterproof coating R thereto are mechanically' tied together at predetermined verticallyspaced points by bolts B and nuts 1).. Each bolt B extends substantially hori zontally between the walls 6 of the cavity a and transversely of and through the cavity.

'Preferably each bolt B extends into two bolt-holes 7 and-7 which are formed in the opposite walls 6 and '6 respectively of the cavity and arran ed in line endwis'e. Each wall is provided' therefore with vertically spaced bolt-holes 7 and each bolt B extends" from within a bolt-hole in one of the said walls into the opposite bolt-hole in the-other of the said walls. Each-bolt B has-its head 10 abutting against the exterior of oneof the walls 6, and a nut b which is screwed onto the shank ,of a bolt bears against the exterior oftlieother of the said walls.

' Thewalls 6 of the cavity a in addition to mechanically tying the said walls together by the bolt B and nuts 6 as hereinbefore described are shown mechanically laced together at suitable points vertically by strands of wire D drawn several times across the cavitybetween the said walls and suitably attached to the said walls. Each wire lacing D extends from a point a suitable disvtance below and forwardly of the upper of adjacent bolts B downwardly to and in front of the lower of the said bolts. Each wire lacin D is arranged therefore forward of a bot B near the front of'the cavity a. Upon the application of the bolts B and wire laces D the lower portionof the cavity a is filled with concrete O to a point in suitable boltand preferably to 'afpoint between the 1 uppermost end of the lowermost wire lacing and the last-mentioned bolt so that the said wire lacing. and the lowermost bolt are em-v bedded in and constitute the metal reinforcemetalr reinforced sectional concrete filling built up within the said cavity,which filling is composed. of sections arranged and built up the one above the other, and, whereas C represents the concrete of the lowermost filling-section, as already indicated, C, C and ment of the said lowermost section of the-- C respectively indicate the concrete of the remaining filling-sections which compose the remainder of the filling within the cavity a, and the concrete of each filling-section embeds one of the boltsB- and the wire lacing D which extends forward of the respective bolt so that the concrete of each filling-section is supported'and reinforced independently of the concrete of the remaining fillingsections and the metal reinforcement of each filling-section, comprising the bolt and wire lacing instrumental in supporting and reinforcing the concrete of the said fillingsection, is wholly independent of the metal reinforcement of the concrete of the adjacent section or sections of the filling. It will be observed therefore that my improved process consists more especially in a building up within the cavity a of the fillingsections one above another and supporting adjacent filling sectionsfrom the trunk but independently of each other. 7

The top or upper end surface of the lower of adjacent filling-sections is shaped or contoured concavely, and the bottom or lower end surface of the upper ofthe said fillingsections is. shaped or contoured convexly. Preferablythe oppositely arranged end sur- -faces of adjacent filling-sections are shaped or contoured to curve or slope upwardly and rearwardly fromthe front of the cavity a, as shown in Fig. 2, and to curve or slope upwardly and'latera-lly toward the walls 6 of the cavity, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

A layer of waterproof material, such, for instance, as oiled paper which will not adhere to a layer of felt or other elastic and compressible material, and which is impervious to moisture, is laid on and covers the top or upper end surface of the lower of adjacent filling-sections.

A layer F of waterproof material, such, for instance, as oiled paper which will not-c adhere to a layer of felt or other elastic and compressible material, and which is impervious to moisture,-covers the bottom or lower end surface of the upper of adjacent fillingsections.

Between adjacent waterproof layers E and F is interposed a layer G of felt or other compr es'sible and elastic n1aterial, andthe said layer of compressible and elastic material constitutes a packing or cushionbe Of' course before building upi the upper of adjacent metal-reinforced concrete sections of the filling in thecavity a the toppr' upper end surface of theqlow'er of the said sections is shaped or contoured so as to slope.

i It will also be observed-that by the joint formed between adjacent.filling-sections as .herei-nbefore described the blowing or drivfromits central portion'upwardly and laterally toward: the Walls 6 and def the cavity as shown in Fi s. I and 3,,and rearwardly and upwardly omthe front of the cavity or exteriorly of the trunk, as shownin- 2, to render it capable of draining any mo1s- A ture which may find access to the said surface to the exterior of the trunk, whereupon are applied the layers E, G and F interposed between the said surface and the upper of the said filling-sections It will be ol seivedth 'refore proved process also comprises not only the buildingup of a filling withinthe cavity ascribed,

in sections one above another and shaping the' top or upper end surface of the lower of adjacent filling-sections as hereinbefore debut in the application upon the building up of the said lower.filling-section of two layers E and F of waterproof material and a layer G of compressible material interposed between the said waterproof layers, preparatory to building up the said upper filling-section.

By the process hereinbefore'described it" will be observed that the'hollow portion A of the trunk of the tree is braced by a metalreinforced concrete filling which occupies the cavity ain the said'port-ion of thetrunk, and that the upper of-adjacent filling-sectionsis supported independently'of the lower of the said filling-sections so .as to prevent the weight of theu pper of the saidfilli:ig-'

sections bearing downwardly on -'the lower I of the said filling-sections and so as to prevent the transmission of any strain tending to crack or injure one of the-saidfilling-sections from being transmitted to the other of the said filling-sectionsand to accommodate the renewal of either of thesaid filling-sec-' tions without interfering with the adjacent metal-reinforced concrete section or sections of the filling. It will also be observed that; the sectional filling accommodates a slight lateral swaying of the trunk by wind pressure against it without injuryto the filling, and not. unimportant is the curving orsloping of oppositely arranged end surfaces of adjacent filling sections so as to drain any moisture having access'thereto to the exterior'of the trunk and to facilitate a slight lateral swaying of the upper of adjacent-- filling-sections with the trunk independently ofthe lower of the said filling-sections and thereby reduce toa minimum the liability of injury to the filling by wind pressure against the trunk. It will be seen also that the in te rposi-tion of packing or elastic and compressible material between adjacent end surfaces of adjacent fillingsections to thereby cushion the said surfaces accommodates some expansion of the said filling-section's toward each other without liability of cracking or injuring the said sections by a"force or agency tending to result insuch expansion.

ing of water by the wind or other, force between the said sections at '-the said joint is substantially prevented and any water .or ,moisture which may'obtain access to the lower end'surface of the upper of adjacent filling-sections is not only prevented from entering the lower of the said filling-sections i but is drained to theexterior of the trunln that my im- 1 The-.bolt B of the metal reinforcement of each filling-section, to interfere as little as ,poss -bl'ewith the capacity of the said filling,- section to somewhat sway laterally independently of the adjacent metal-reinforced c -n- 1crete'section or'sections of the filling, is

preferablylocated nearthe lower end of the metal reinforced concrete section through which itextends and forward of the center 'of the last-mentioned section. v

It is obvious thatthe trunk of a tree upon swaying laterallywill move farther at the upper of adjacent filling-sections than at the lower ofthe said filling-sections, and

hence to render the sectional filling most suitable for the gradual increase in the movement'o'f. the trunk upwardly from the base of the trunk during. any swaying of the trunk the upper of adjacent filling-sections is made shorter than the lower of the said filling-sections.

\Vhat I claim is 1.. An improved process'of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends'to the eX-. terior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a building up within the cavity of a filling in sections one above another. j I

2. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extendscto the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a building up withinthe cavity of a filhng 1n sections one aboveanother, and contouring theupper end surface of the lower of adjacent filling-sections to permit a slight lateral swaying of the upper of the said adjacent filling-sections with the trunk independent of the lower of the said adjacent filling-sections.

3. An improved process of reinforcinga I other-,

tree having a cavity which is formed in the other, and supporting .adjacentfifilling-sec "trunk of the tree and extends to the exrother, and cushioning op ositely arranged &

tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a building up within the cavity of a filling in sections one above an other and supporting the upper of adjacent filling-sections independent of the lower of the said adjacent filling-sections.

4. An improved process of reinforcinga tree-having a cavity. whichis formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a buildingup within the cavity of afilling in sections one above antions from the trunk independent of each '5. An improved process of reinforcing ai tree' having acavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a bullding up within the cavity'of a filling in sections one above an.- other contouring the up er end surface of the lower-of adjacent filling-sections to permit a slight lateral swaying of the upper of said adjacent fillin sections with'the trunk independent of "the lower of the said adjacent filling-sections and supporting said upper filling-sectionv from the trunk independent of said lower filling section. v

'6 ,An improvedrprocess of reinforcing a trunk of the treexand extends to the exterior and longitudinally ofthe trunk, said; process comprising a building up within thecavityof a fillingin sections one above an-. other,-and contouring the upper end surface of the lower of adjacentfilling-sections so as to slope upwardly from the exterior of the trunk between opposite side walls of the cavity.

:7. An improved-process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree'and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising the building up within the cavity of a filling in sections one above another, and contour ng the u er end surface of the lower of ad acent lilling-sections so as to s10 e upwardly from the exterior offl'th'e trun between 0 osite side walls of the cavity and latera liyand upwardly toward the said walls 3 g 8. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the terior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising a building up within the. cavity-of a filling in sections one above anend surfacesof adjacent fi ling-sections.

9. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior '14. An improved process scents;-

of a filling in sections one above another,

,and maki mg the upper of adjacent fillin -sec-- vtions shorter than the lower of the sai adjacent filling-sections. i v

10. An improved process of reinforcing a .tree having acavity'which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprlsmg a building up within the cavity 1 of a metal reinforced'concrete filling in sections-one above another, shaping the top or upper end surface of the lower of adjacent metal-reinforcedconcrete sections to permit of a slightdate'ral swayingof, the upper of the said sections with the trunk independent of the lower of the said sections, and makin the said upper section shorter than sai lower section.

11. An improved process of reinforcing a treehaving a cavitywhichis' formed in'the trunk. of the tree. and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk,said process comprising a building up within the said cavity of a filling in sections one, over another, and covering the top of the lower of adjacent filling-sections with compressible the upper of material before building up said adjacent filling-sections.

Y 12. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity whichis formed in the process comprising a building up within the cavity of a filling in sections one above another; sha ing the upper end surface of the lower of a j acent filling-sections to permit a slightlateral swaying of the upper of said ad acent filling-sections independent ofthe lower of said adjacent-filling sections, and

preparatory to building up sald upper fillingsection placing over said surface a layer of compressible material interposed between two layers of waterproof material.

13. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally ofthe trunk, said process comprisinga building up within the cavity of a fillingjgin sections one above another,

and preparatory to building up the up er of adjacent filling-sections placing'over t e upper end surface of the lower of said adjacent filling-sections a layer of compressiblev material -'interposed between two layers of oiled paper.

of reinforcing a trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the 'trunk, said treehaving a cavity whichlis formed in the trunk'of the tree and extends to theexterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process comprising abuilding up within the cavity of a filling in sections one above another, and preparatory to building up the upper of'adjacent filling-sections placing over the upper end surface of the lower of said adjacent filling-sections a layer of felt interposed between two layers of waterproof material.

15. An improved process of reinforcing a tree'having. a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trunk, said process consisting, first, in antiseptically treating the walls of the cavity and then-building up Within the cavitymetahreinforced concrete sections one above another to fill the cavity and forming such a joint between adjacent filling-sections in building up said sections as to permit a slight swaying of the 11 per.

of said sections laterally independent 0 the lower of said sections; 4

16. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity which is formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinall of the trunk, said process comprising a bui ding up within the cavity of metal-reinforced concrete sections one above another and placing cushioning matetions.

17. An improved process of reinforcing a tree having a cavity whichis formed in the trunk of the tree and extends to the exterior and longitudinally of the trfink 'said process comprising a building up within the cavity of metal-reinforced concrete sections; one above another and applying the metal reinforcement for each metal-reinforced concrete section to the trunk before building 161p the concrete portion of said filling sec- In testimony whereof, I'sign' the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses.

WELLINGTON E. nAvEY.

- Witnessesz O. H. Donna, B. C. BROWN.

building up the upper of'said adjacent sec-- 1 

